Only three Florida high school softball teams have completed undefeated FHSAA state championship seasons since Orange City University’s program debuted in spring 2011.
The Titans are two wins away from joining that group this week.
“We think losing isn’t even an option at this point,” University shortstop Aminah Vega said after Friday’s regional championship win at Lake Brantley. “We go into every game like we have a 0-0 record. There is no talk about being undefeated and having to keep it going. The mentality we have is to just win every game.”
University (25-0) plays Lake Worth Park Vista (28-0) in a Class 7A state seminal involving the state’s last remaining unbeaten teams Friday in Clermont at 12:30 p.m.
Winter Springs finished 31-0 and Trenton went 27-0 as state champs in 2019. Coral Springs Charter turned in a 29-0-1 season in 2015.
The Titans are among five Orlando area teams playing in Florida High School Athletic Association tournaments Tuesday through Saturday at Clermont’s Legends Way Ball Fields. Admission is $9 per day in advance and $12 if purchased on day of event. Parking is $10. Tickets are available exclusively online via the GoFan app. The NHFS Network is streaming all games for a fee.
Winter Springs (21-7) matches up with Viera (17-6) in a 6A semifinal Friday morning at 10 a.m.
Mount Dora Christian Academy (20-8), in the final four for the fourth time since 2016, opens against Jacksonville University Christian (17-2) in 2A on Tuesday. Class 3A’s Windermere Prep (24-1) plays Jacksonville Episcopal School (23-5) on Wednesday and Eustis (25-1) faces Orange Park Ridgeview (26-3) in 4A on Thursday.
Windermere Prep lost for the only time this season 4-2 vs. Tampa Berkeley Prep on Feb. 26.
Eustis, which got a no-hit performance from sophomore Libby Levendoski in the regional championship round Friday, suffered its lone setback 5-4 at Winter Springs on March 11.
University enters the state tournament having won seven games this season by one run.
“This team is probably the best team I’ve ever played on,” said University junior pitcher Grace Taylor. “We gel so well, and that’s what has helped us make it to the final four. It’s been a great experience.”
State tournament schedule
Tuesday
Class 1A
Jay vs. Wewahitchka, 12
Branford vs. Trenton, 2
Class 2A
Mount Dora Christian vs. Jacksonville University Christian, 5
St Petersburg Canterbury vs. Fort Lauderdale Westminster, 7
Wednesday
Class 3A
Windermere Prep vs. Jacksonville Episcopal, Noon
Tampa Holy Names vs. Miami Westminster, 2
Class 1A
Final, 4:30
Class 2A
Final, 7:30
Thursday
Class 4A
Eustis vs. Orange Park Ridgeview, 10 a.m.
Brooksville Hernando vs. Plantation American Heritage, 12
Class 3A
Final, 7
Class 5A
Pace vs. Land O’ Lakes, 2
Palm Bay Bayside vs. Fort Myers, 4
Friday
Class 7A
Orange City University vs. Lake Worth Park Vista, 12:30
Bradenton Lakewood Ranch vs. Miami Palmetto, 1:45
Class 6A
Winter Springs vs. Viera, 10 a.m.
New Port Richey Mitchell vs. Doral, 11:15 a.m.
Class 4A
Final, 4:30
Class 5A
Final, 7
Saturday
Class 6A
Final, 3
Class 7A
Final, 5:30
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email J.C. Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
